Isla Santa Catalina
Who could have imagined a better beginning to our voyage in Baja California? It was definitely a day to remember. The morning began with the sun rising over the Sea of Cortez, providing a beautiful introduction for the day ahead.
We spotted a blow on the horizon, and as we cruised closer, we found the Sea Lion amongst the largest animals in the world. How wonderful to wake up to blue and fin whales eating their breakfast, as they occasionally lunge fed around the ship! We watched in awe as these majestic marine mammals entertained us in a slow feeding dance. As if scheduled for intermission, a large pod of long-beaked common dolphins appeared, jumping and splashing as they too shared in the morning feast.
Anchored off Elephant Rock, we had a variety of activities at Isla Santa Catalina. Many of us donned our wetsuits and grabbed our snorkels for our first introduction to the undersea wonders of the Sea of Cortez. And what a treat we received: sea urchins, king angel fish, balloon fish, Cortez Angelfish, blue and yellow snapper, sergeant majors, damselfish, and three different species of sea stars.
For those of us who opted for dry land, Isla Santa Catalina was the perfect place to begin our explorations of the desert. We viewed the different species of cacti, including cardon, giant barrel cactus – endemic to Baja California, and galloping cactus to name a few. Some of the cacti are in bloom, displaying their flowers in hopes of attracting an array of flying creatures- insects, birds, moths, and even bats- to facilitate pollination.
Isla Catalina is not only a great place to look at the different vegetation; Catalina was also a great place for us to view the birds of the gulf. We spotted yellow-footed gulls, also endemic to Baja California, along the shore. As we traveled deeper into the desert, we spotted northern cardinals, verdins (pictured above), white-winged doves, Costa's hummingbirds, black-throated sparrows, Gila woodpeckers, and loggerhead shrikes. These small creatures of the afternoon, in contrast to the great whales of the morning, further impressed upon us the diversity and beauty of Baja California.
Who could have imagined a better beginning to our voyage in Baja California? It was definitely a day to remember. The morning began with the sun rising over the Sea of Cortez, providing a beautiful introduction for the day ahead.
We spotted a blow on the horizon, and as we cruised closer, we found the Sea Lion amongst the largest animals in the world. How wonderful to wake up to blue and fin whales eating their breakfast, as they occasionally lunge fed around the ship! We watched in awe as these majestic marine mammals entertained us in a slow feeding dance. As if scheduled for intermission, a large pod of long-beaked common dolphins appeared, jumping and splashing as they too shared in the morning feast.
Anchored off Elephant Rock, we had a variety of activities at Isla Santa Catalina. Many of us donned our wetsuits and grabbed our snorkels for our first introduction to the undersea wonders of the Sea of Cortez. And what a treat we received: sea urchins, king angel fish, balloon fish, Cortez Angelfish, blue and yellow snapper, sergeant majors, damselfish, and three different species of sea stars.
For those of us who opted for dry land, Isla Santa Catalina was the perfect place to begin our explorations of the desert. We viewed the different species of cacti, including cardon, giant barrel cactus – endemic to Baja California, and galloping cactus to name a few. Some of the cacti are in bloom, displaying their flowers in hopes of attracting an array of flying creatures- insects, birds, moths, and even bats- to facilitate pollination.
Isla Catalina is not only a great place to look at the different vegetation; Catalina was also a great place for us to view the birds of the gulf. We spotted yellow-footed gulls, also endemic to Baja California, along the shore. As we traveled deeper into the desert, we spotted northern cardinals, verdins (pictured above), white-winged doves, Costa's hummingbirds, black-throated sparrows, Gila woodpeckers, and loggerhead shrikes. These small creatures of the afternoon, in contrast to the great whales of the morning, further impressed upon us the diversity and beauty of Baja California.
